Krystel

You are too sweet,
Thank you for the kind words and I am so glad you enjoyed being in the
studio..it was fun ;) You are an awesome performer with real talent and I wish you nothing less than the best.

Sincerely,
Fiona - 92.1 - WQQK

He's a little bit Hip-Hop and she's a little bit R&B Soul, but when you put them together - they're a tight duo better known as Latino Saint (aka Tyler Ramos) and Krystel (aka Krystle Ochsner). These two partners in musical crime are making an impact on the music scene with their smartly crafted but still soulfully hip blended beats and vocals. Over the last two years the Nashville-based performers have performed with some of Hip-Hop's A-List rhymsters such as Killa Mike, G-Unit's Young Buck, Fat Joe, B2K, LL Cool J, Bubba Sparxxx, Blu Cantrell, Amanda Perez, Chingy and Snoop Dogg among many. According to the new hip-hop culture magazine XPOZ, Latino Saint's CD "Half Breed" became one of the most critically acclaimed independent releases of 2004.
The Latino Saint and Krystel were even more successful as songwriters. Their hit single "U Don't Know" won the hip-hop category and second place overall in the Song of the Year contest (www.songoftheyear.com). Collectively, Latino Saint and Krystel have formed an alliance of talented musicians and producers into an organization known as La Familia Del Sol or "Family of the Sun". With the use of internet technology as their key networking source for their members, this group of dedicated performers are providing opportunities to independent musicians throughout the country. Meet the Latino Saint and Krystel. Read on:
TRIBUNE: WHAT IS LA FAMILIA DEL SOL?
KRYSTEL: "It's our network of artists more than it is a group of performers. We use that name when we all perform together. It helps us to present a united front as entertainers. But individually we all have our independent careers, shows, and audiences that we cater to. Tyler's audiences are more hip-hop and mine are more into R&B and Pop. But when we work together the two styles and the two audiences are combined into one."
TRIBUNE: HOW MANY PERFORMERS ARE PART OF LA FAMILIA DEL SOL?
TYLER: "We network with artists, and people are always coming and going, but we provide show and production opportunities. We have three solid producers. We have six solid artists. Three of them have CD's and merchandise that's being sold. So we help them to get their product marketed and the other three who don't have product as of now, we're helping them to get to that level by working them through the necessary ranks."
TRIBUNE: SO ARE BANDS OF ALL RACES PART OF THE FAMILY?
TYLER: "Yes. We're often called E.O.E. or equal opportunity entertainment. We have performers who are white, latin, black- it doesn't matter to us, everyone's welcome. We have a passion for music and feel that when we all come together it's a beautiful rainbow of music and performers."
KRYSTEL: "I just want to add that many of the artists in the La Familia Del Sol family are not based in Nashville. Some are living here but also in Michigan, Arkansas, Nebraska and California. We work heavily through the internet too by locating various producers and performers who are listed on certain websites."
TRIBUNE: HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN OFFERED ANY RECORD DEALS?
TYLER: "We've had a few, including one from a major Latin company. But in all these offers, so far it hasn't been the right deal. We've had offers from several independent companies too, but we now look at ourselves as an independent company. Our philosophy is, you've got to out-hustle us! We don't necessarily need a record deal because we're making records. We're still open to work with a company if it's a good deal though. Right now we really need promotions, marketing and bookings - as many as we can get."
TRIBUNE: WHO ARE SOME OF THE ARTISTS YOU'VE WORKED WITH?
KRYSTEL: "I've sung backup for several major name artists. I've sang background for Lyle Lovett, which included being one of the singers on a TV show that he did. I've worked with Grammy-award winning producer Shannon Sanders, who is India. Arie's producer. He lives here and he's been helpful in getting me a lot of work with major artists."
TRIBUNE: HOW DID YOU GUYS GET TOGETHER?
KRYSTEL: "We've been together for two years. We met through one of the websites that feature information about independent artists and performers. Tyler had asked for people to review his music. I did a review and he in turn reviewed my music so from there we just started communicating. We started out as music associates, collaborating on each other's music. We eventually met up at a music conference in Florida. After finally meeting each other in person, we knew we both wanted to be together. Most of the time we don't perform together. We work separately with other bands."
TYLER: We didn't start communicating with the idea of doing internet dating. It just turned out that way. We loved each other's music. I was living in Michigan (Battle Creek) and there wasn't any real reason that I should continue living there. So I ended up here in Nashville because of her."
TRIBUNE: KRYSTEL, YOU HAVE A REAL STRONG R&B SOUND. DO YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND OF SINGING IN CHURCH?
KRYSTEL: "Yes. I started singing in the church back in Washington State, when I was five years old. I come from a family of singers who also sang in the church. I moved to Nashville a few years ago to re-focus my career and after I met Tyler that has happened. But when I first moved here, I tried to fit my singing style into the country music circle, but it just didn't work out."
TRIBUNE: DOES NASHVILLE HAVE A GROWING R&B MUSIC SCENE?
KRYSTEL: "Yes. I'd say that over the last five years there are a lot more venues for R&B performers to play in. Plus, a lot of these venues that are known to do rock bands are now including more R&B and Hip-Hop performers and this is really good news for everyone."

Questions? Comments? Contact Latino Saint and Krystel at www. myspace.com/latinosaint or www.myspace.com/krystel or email them at latinosaint@comcast.net
- Janice Malone - Tennessee Tribune

SONG OF THE YEAR
Song Critique

The following information is a critique on the material you have submitted to Song of the Year for review. The opinions stated are from an experienced professional in the music industry. Your views may differ greatly from their views on the material since music and lyrics are a subjective art form. Please be mindful that the comments made about your material will be critical only to encourage your songwriting ability and help develop your skill.

The categories reviewed in the critique are not the same guidelines for songs submitted into the contest. . The professional offering the critique is not on the judging panel for the Song of the Year songwriting contest. The opinions expressed in this critique will not affect any song submissions you have submitted into the song contest.

SONG WRITER
Tyler Ramos / Krystle Ochsner

NAME OF SONG
U Don’t Know


REVIEWER ID
R0515069

REVIEWER PROFESSION
Senior Editor - Publishing


LYRICS

Comments: Fantastic, inspirational lyrics! Telling it like it is, and how it should be! The sung lyrics are great and the rap is sweet. Excellent!

MUSIC

Comments: A nice subtle beat with a smooth bass line overlaid by some string backups. The music quality of the vocals and raps are tough and tight. Good harmonies. I can’t say anything bad about the music quality.

MELODIES

Comments: The melodies in the singing, bass line, and backing string synths all represent well and blend wonderfully. Great job!


TITLE

Comments: The title is simple, to the point, and rings true. To say up front “You don’t know” makes everyone who reads the title ask, “I don’t know what?” And the answer once they listen is that you don’t know what life holds for you. Great title!

STRUCTURE

Comments: The structure is perfect. All elements of this song, from vocals, to bass line, to rhythm, to backgrounds, come together so good.


MARKETABILITY

Comments: If I were a major label executive, I would sign you immediately. Unfortunately, I’m not, but I hope someone recognizes this talent. You have, in my opinion as a publishing editor, a hot piece of merchandise in this song. I hope to hear more from you!


EMOTIONAL RESPONSE

Comments: The music and beat made me move, while the lyrics made me think. That is an awesome combination. True and real. The emotional response was pure. Congratulations on a great song!
- Song of the Year (www.songoftheyear.com)

"Best live show I've seen this year".
- Dustin Michael
Executive Director
Experimental Division Nashville
www.xnashville.com
- MySpace.com